[Closed] North west highlands tour report

Great tour there Teej! Did it rain at all?

Brilliant! Looks like perfect weather 👍

Bloody brilliant TJ!

One day with a bit of rain - we spent a fair chunk of it in the Kylesku hotel 🙂

like, nice one

Were all the off-road bits much as expected then?

And I  think the Nigg locals are mostly called....

.

.

.

.

.

John

Pretty much Scotroutes.  Garve to Ullapool is really nice and easy bar a couple of climbs.  Kylesku to Achfarry is a brutal climb followed by a very steep descent - best done the other way if at all 😉 , West Merkland to Gobernuisgach lodge very pleasant wander thru the scenery.  Those are the bits we did bar a few wee bits

Abandoned building? Looks like Lubachlaggan. Have only passed by and not been down to it. First shot - I was thinking of the top end of Glean Mor but a check and it looks like the side valley before you cross over to that glen.

<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">Looks like you had absolutely cracking weather. I would not have liked to ride the bumpy road between Drumbeg and Kyelsku with all that kit! Also the NC500 traffic can be a right pain there.</span>

Offroad from Kylesku to Altnaharra? Bealach nam Fiam to Achfary then the estate track to Gobernuisgach Lodge? The first is a hell of a climb on a tandem, I think I'd struggle on one or two of the looser ramparts.

Ace!

Easier to post afresh rather than edit.

You answered my question about Kylesku to Altnaharra. The first bit is taken by the HT550 as it starts to head back south after Bealach Horn. The section to Gobernuisgach Lodge is also taken by the HT550 but in the same direction you did it. The little (read as absolutely tiny) road between Hope and Altnaharra looks more like someone's drive than a public road doesn't it?

I assume you went from Croik, up the glen, big pull out of the top then down to The Schoolhouse then round by Knockdamph bothy.

Bealach nam Fiam was mainly but not all taking our bike for a walk.  Boiled the brakes on the descent as well.  Absolutly brutal We have very low gearing so can climb at 2 mph and you get plenty of traction with all that weight.  Fair bit of walking the climbs Drumbeg to Kylesku as well but a lot of fun on the descents

Edit - yes to the rest of the route

Going N-S on Bealach nam Fiam is much more sensible - basically one big push out of Achfary then a great descent

Have discussed the old track between Duarmore Bridge just further on from Kylesku that leads to the head of Strath Stack. Discussed as in "You do it and tell me what it's like. No, *you* do it and tell *me* what it's like" 🙂 I think it's an old stalker's track in reasonable repair. Absolutely no idea how sensible it would be on a tandem mind you!

One route that would be good on a tandem is Rosehall to Merkland via Glen Cassley and Moavally. The hardest bit would be getting through the kissing gate by Loch a Ghriama.

YOu check it out!
With that rig we basically avoid single track unless its known to be good and downhill

Looks rubbish, not at all jealous 😋

I hear you bumped into (not literally) a couple of my customers on a rented tandem. It's their second trip with it.

And have you seen the Scotrail announcement regarding cycle carriages next summer? That might open up a few options for you.

Brilliant.

Ah yes I did scotroutes.  Very complimentary about your company ( ticket to ride?) and their customer service.

Not heard anything about cycle carriages.  I'll have a look.

An extra carriage for Glasgow-Oban, Glasgow-Fort William and Fort William-Mallaig. Possibly Inverness-Kyle too. For bikes and sports equipment (rucksacks, maybe kayaks????).

looks like you had a good time in the promised land!

cool.  West highland line is a nightmare.  got on with bikes once to find the bike space full of rucksacs.  Just not enough luggage space on the trains.

Nice one TJ, glad you got the weather and thanks for track info , I hope I get a chance to revisit such a cracking area ( and get the weather). Cheers

Impressive ride.